San Diego Trip, Day 2 Part I

Tuesday March 20

After a few hours of getting ready for the day, we headed to Walker Bros. Pancake house. Erik and I shared their famous apple pancake. The kids split a platter of 12 sand dollar pancakes. It was quite chilly in the morning and we sat outside. Then we went to the main attraction of the day (and of the area as well)—the USS Midway. The Midway is a huge aircraft carrier for the US Navy, and it could easily take all day to explore. We spent a good 3 hrs going through it. The kids loved sitting in the old airplanes towards the entrance, but by the end they were pooped and begging to leave. Erik and I watched a short movie about the battle of Midway while Grandparents took the kids back to the car, only to be greeted by a parking ticket for being 7 minutes past their paid time!



I saw this adorable little creature peeking in the cottage windows from outside!


The huge steep hill we drove on to get anywhere. The kids loved it.

Erik and I shared a yummy apple pancake.
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After breakfast we headed over to the USS Midway, one of San Diego's most popular attractions:

On the way to the USS Midway--Elisa with the San Diego skyline behind her


A large statue of the "unconditional surrender" outside of the USS Midway.


Ian wanted to get a picture with this 2D dude, so Erik took his picture!


Gabie in front of the entrance of the ship


Ian wasn't sure how to salute so he just raised his arm. LOL!


What kind of face is Ian wearing?!


We were given a little sound device which we could scan at an item/exhibit/place and we could listen to the info about whatever was scanned on the device. The device was nice to have since it was so informative, but I gave up on mine halfway through the tour because there was just so much to listen to and my arm was getting tired of holding it up to my ear.



Ian in a cockpit





Erik and I apparently took a disproportionate amount of pictures of the kids and us looking at the old airplanes! It was our first stop, that's why.





Erik took some pictures of the inside of a cockpit. They're super elaborate and I can't even imagine how one could learn what all those buttons and levers do!


I took a break from taking pictures and sat in a cockpit myself. I felt like a barely fit; how cramped it must feel for a guy to have to sit in there for hours at a time!



The kids had a great time climbing in all of these old planes. The cool thing is that these aren't model planes--they are the real deal! I couldn't believe how small some of these planes were!


Ian by an elevator or pully shaft. There were some life-size figures down there, Ian was worried about them lol.


Hanging out with...whoever that is, just before the entrance to the cafeteria.


The engine/boiler room. I would NOT have liked to be down there when the ship was going!

The men got excited about all the pharmacy and its funny, fake drugs aboard the ship.


How is it possible to sleep in a bed this small? Seems like torture to me!


Gabe hanging out with Grandpa on top of the carrier where all the planes used to take off from. There were lots of old planes to look at!


A pan view from the ship of San Diego. More impressive in person!


Inside a helicopter. A first for me, even though this old chopper obviously isn't going anywhere soon.


Adorable Ian on the top of the ship!


After exploring the top of the deck, the kids were pooped and grumpy so we left, or at least Grandma and Grandpa left with the kids, while Erik and I watched a movie about the men who served on the ship. All in all it was a really cool experience to be on that huge ship. I think we got to see most of the ship, at least the parts that were open for tours. I couldn't believe how many levels there were in this ship! I also think it's crazy that someone would a plane can land on a ship and that this huge ship can even tread water! And lastly, I think it is super cool to know that this amazing piece of machinery was built by women!